Black Bears Looking to Relocate Too? Southern Illinois Has a Furry Visitor, Wildlife Officials Confirm – WTTW

Are the bears relocating to southern Illinois?
Black bears, that is.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) said it is monitoring a bear that’s been spotted hanging out all week in St. Clair County in the southwestern part of the state, just east of St. Louis.
The bear has had no interaction with humans but has damaged some bee hives on private property, IDNR said.
Although sightings of black bears in Illinois are rare, they’ve been occurring annually in recent years. The bears typically wander over from established populations in Missouri and Wisconsin, usually in the early summer months.
These visitors can be 1-year-olds dispersing from their birth ranges, adult males in search of a mate, or nursing females looking for food to feed cubs.
People should avoid direct encounters with bears, and IDNR recommends securing food sources that could attract a bear if one is reported in the area.
Those food sources include garbage cans, bird feeders and pet food. Grills and smokers should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Bears can pick up odors from more than a mile away.
Anyone who sees a bear should report it to IDNR.
Black bears may not be hunted, killed or harassed unless there is an imminent threat to a person or property. If you come across a black bear, IDNR’s top piece of advice is “don’t run.” Stand your ground, make yourself as big as possible and slowly back away.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]
Sign up for our morning newsletter to get all of our stories delivered to your mailbox each weekday.
View the discussion thread.

source